W & G Foyle Ltd or simply Foyles, is a book seller, founded by two brothers, William & Gilbert Foyle in 1903. After failing civil service exams, they started to sell their used textbooks and were flooded by offers. This inspired them to launch a second-hand book business from home. Foyles was once listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s largest bookshop in terms of shelf area (30 miles/50 km) and number of titles on display.

Foyles’ flagship store will be moving to a new location in 2014, just next door from 113–119 Charing Cross Road to 107-109 Charing Cross Road at the 1930s art-deco style former Central St Martins‘ building (see the details here). Celebrating their 110-year anniversary this year, Foyles has commissioned Britain’s 14 comic artists from the Comica festival to tell the short history of Foyles in 28 panels, which decorate the hoardings around the new site. You can see them at their website with biographies of the artists: starting from its origins in the Foyle kitchen, through its various moves up and down Charing Cross Road, and ending with what the new Foyles building may look like when it opens in 2014.

This is a clever tactic to cover up the ugly construction site and make people interested in their new shop!

John Miersが描いた、自宅台所で創業した1903年当時の様子

Foyles is founded in the Foyle family kitchen in 1903 (illustration by John Miers)

2014年新装オープンを描いた、Rian Hughesの作品（右2枚のパネル）

Artist Rian Hughes visualised the new shop which is expected to open in 2014 (two panels on the right)